WUST News (Reporter Bi Haoyang) On the morning of April 10, the 2nd Meeting of the Leading Group for First-Class Discipline Development of Wuhan University of Science and Technology (WUST) in 2026 was convened at Meeting Room No. 3 of the Main Building in Qingshan Campus. With the theme of Full Sprint for the “Double First-Class” Initiative, Resolutely Winning the Critical Battle, the meeting was attended by Ni Hongwei, Secretary of the University Party Committee, Lü Yong, President of the University, and all other university leaders. Also present were the principal persons in charge of the member units of the Leading Group, relevant schools and key laboratories.

Ni Hongwei pointed out that the construction of the “Double First-Class” initiative has entered a critical stage of decisive sprint. The entire university must further align its thinking, build consensus, and fully recognize the vital significance of first-class discipline development for the university’s career advancement. He emphasized that the university should conduct systematic planning, benchmark against the standard system of first-class disciplines, and proactively serve the construction of Hubei as a strategic pivot. It is imperative to implement the “three lists” in a down-to-earth manner, clarify tasks, improve mechanisms, seize favorable opportunities, and actively seek support from local authorities. The university shall promote collaborative efforts, refine assessment mechanisms, and work together to overcome difficulties; strengthen publicity to expand the influence of first-class discipline development; and clarify the division of responsibilities to build an efficient working mechanism, with firm confidence in securing the success of first-class discipline development.

Lü Yong conveyed the spirits of the 2026 Work Coordination Meeting on First-Class Discipline Development for Provincial Universities. He stressed that the university must benchmark against standards, identify shortcomings and weaknesses, and fully grasp the evaluation system, so as to align the “sprint for first-class status” with the “service for the strategic pivot construction”. It is necessary to reorganize, refine and redeploy the work, accelerate advancement, and adopt targeted measures focusing on key priorities. All departments and schools shall strive for tangible results, breakthroughs and first-class performance to ensure desired outcomes, and the principal persons in charge of relevant departments and schools must take full responsibility and personally make overall plans.

The Department of Development Planning and Discipline Development reported the latest progress of first-class discipline development. The principal persons in charge of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Life Science and Health, School of Metallurgy and Energy Engineering, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, as well as the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Refractories, delivered reports respectively on serving major national strategies, promoting the coordinated development of industries and regions, and supporting the construction of Hubei as a strategic pivot in the context of first-class discipline development.